South Australia’s first Autism Strategy 2024-2029 – Draft

Consultation has concluded

Share your feedback on the draft State Autism Strategy 2024-2029.

What's being decided?

The South Australian Government has made a firm commitment to our Autistic and autism communities.

The State Autism Strategy, led by the Department of Human Services, will be the first of its kind to be delivered and implemented in South Australia. It sets the government's commitment to improving the lives of Autistic people of all ages and their families over the next five years.

We invite you to provide your feedback on the draft State Autism Strategy 2024-2029, to support a dedicated whole-of-government approach to create a fairer and more inclusive society.

Background

Although South Australia has been committed to improving access and inclusion for people with disability for some time, the Autistic and autism communities have long advocated for improved community knowledge, understanding, support, and acceptance for Autistic people. The development and creation of South Australia's first Autism Strategy is a response to the years of advocacy by the Autistic and autism communities.

In late 2022, the South Australian Autistic and autism communities shared their experiences to support co-designing the Strategy. Over 1,200 submissions were received throughout the consultation process and consolidated in the Consultation Report, published on 4 July 2023. This feedback has shaped the development of the draft State Autism Strategy.

As echoed throughout the consultation process, feedback made it clear that Autistic voices must be central to the decision-making process on matters concerning them. That is why we will continue to collaborate, consult, and engage with the Autistic and autism communities throughout the life of the State Autism Strategy, including its development.

Get involved

Find out more:

Have your say by:

What are the next steps?

We will collate your feedback and finalise the State Autism Strategy by mid-2024.

We will publish the State Autism Strategy on the Department of Human Services’ and YourSAy websites.

Share your feedback on the draft State Autism Strategy 2024-2029.

What's being decided?

The South Australian Government has made a firm commitment to our Autistic and autism communities.

The State Autism Strategy, led by the Department of Human Services, will be the first of its kind to be delivered and implemented in South Australia. It sets the government's commitment to improving the lives of Autistic people of all ages and their families over the next five years.

We invite you to provide your feedback on the draft State Autism Strategy 2024-2029, to support a dedicated whole-of-government approach to create a fairer and more inclusive society.

Background

Although South Australia has been committed to improving access and inclusion for people with disability for some time, the Autistic and autism communities have long advocated for improved community knowledge, understanding, support, and acceptance for Autistic people. The development and creation of South Australia's first Autism Strategy is a response to the years of advocacy by the Autistic and autism communities.

In late 2022, the South Australian Autistic and autism communities shared their experiences to support co-designing the Strategy. Over 1,200 submissions were received throughout the consultation process and consolidated in the Consultation Report, published on 4 July 2023. This feedback has shaped the development of the draft State Autism Strategy.

As echoed throughout the consultation process, feedback made it clear that Autistic voices must be central to the decision-making process on matters concerning them. That is why we will continue to collaborate, consult, and engage with the Autistic and autism communities throughout the life of the State Autism Strategy, including its development.

Get involved

Find out more:

Have your say by:

What are the next steps?

We will collate your feedback and finalise the State Autism Strategy by mid-2024.

We will publish the State Autism Strategy on the Department of Human Services’ and YourSAy websites.

Consultation has concluded
  • SA Autism Strategy Action Plan

    On 29 September 2025, we launched the SA Autism Strategy Action Plan 2025–2029, an important milestone in our journey to build a more autism-inclusive South Australia. This follows the launch of the SA Autism Strategy 2024-2029 in June 2024.

    This whole-of government plan combines the feedback provided during consultation on the draft strategy from Autistic people, their families and carers, advocacy organisations and service providers. These insights helped shape this work in the most meaningful way.

    The resulting Action Plan brings together 25 commitments across seven key Focus Areas that are backed by practical actions.

    This is also available now at https://autismstrategy.sa.gov.au/.

  • Consultation Outcome

    Thank you for contributing to the first autism strategy for South Australia.

    We received 125 survey responses and 20 written submissions for consideration.

    The SA Autism Strategy 2024-2029 was launched publicly on the 19 June 2024 and is available for viewing at https://autismstrategy.sa.gov.au/.